Carnavalet Museum

Housed in two 16th century mansions, the Carnavalet Museum details Paris's history back to its earliest Neolithic roots. Recreations of salons and drawing rooms, dozens of paintings from the 19th century, and the preserved bed chamber of writer Marcel Proust are all on display. Even though it's on a busy street in the Marais, most people walk right by, meaning the museum is much easier to navigate than its big brothers, like the Louvre or the Orsay. The best part is that the permanent collection is entirely free.

Carnavalet Museum

Housed in two 16th century mansions, the Carnavalet Museum details Paris's history back to its earliest Neolithic roots. Recreations of salons and drawing rooms, dozens of paintings from the 19th century, and the preserved bed chamber of writer Marcel Proust are all on display. Even though it's on a busy street in the Marais, most people walk right by, meaning the museum is much easier to navigate than its big brothers, like the Louvre or the Orsay. The best part is that the permanent collection is entirely free.